Author Archives: churchauthor

Lifted Up

written and preached by Rev. Natalie Shiras May 12, 2013      Acts 1:1-11 Ascension poses a particular challenge for us. Jesus is lifted up out of sight and everyone stands gazing up to heaven. This description of Jesus’ ascension by … Continue reading

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Catch and Release

written and preached by Rev. Natalie Shiras May 5, 2013                  John 14:23-29 Every Wednesday at 4 pm in the chapel of Church on the Hill I lead a small group that gathers for weekly centering prayer. We keep silence for … Continue reading

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PASTOR’S PONDERINGS for May 2013

We are in the midst of a spiritual awakening according to recent studies by the Pew Research Center. Religion as we have known it, such as people going to church with a religious identity and loyalty to their denomination, is … Continue reading

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Getting the Story Straight

written and presented by Shirley Benson April 21, 2013 During Advent way last December, I got a request from Zoë asking if I would please be the lay preacher on April 21. Well, at my age I don’t buy green … Continue reading

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“Do you have a Jesus of your own, or just somebody else’s?”

written and preached by Rev. Rick Chrisman April 14, 2013 As you listen to the two passages from scripture this morning, see if you can visualize them.  Each makes a very different snapshot of Jesus, or rather, a video.  And … Continue reading

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Pastor’s Ponderings – April 2013

WE ARE AN EASTER PEOPLE! On Easter morning we have no more doubt. We have nothing more to say. Competition and strife end. We sing “Alleluia” at the top of our voices! Let us rejoice and be glad. One of … Continue reading

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Bring Lost Joys to Life

written and preached by Rev. Richard Chrisman Easter Sunday, March 21, 2013  “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Let us pray: O God, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts, … Continue reading

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Palm Politics

                                                          written and preached by Rev. Natalie Shiras                               March 24, 2013 Luke 19:28-40 I am grateful to William Willimon, a United Methodist bishop and writer for preachers for his ideas about the connection between politics and Palm … Continue reading

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Ministering to Jesus

written and preached by Rev. Natalie Shiras March 17, 2013 John 12:1-8 Jesus enters the city of Bethany on his way to Jerusalem and the cross. He stops by to see his close friends, Lazarus and Mary and Martha, and … Continue reading

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Going Home

 written and preached by Rev. Natalie Shiras  March 10, 2013  Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 When Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees for welcoming and eating with sinners, Jesus told them a parable about a father and two sons and the welcome … Continue reading

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